The concept of ‘gynocentrism’ was recently cited in research on domestic violence in Trinidad and Tobago. This is viewed by stakeholders as a positive development toward understanding the complex dynamics involved in IPV and why men are reluctant to report it.

“Traditionally, Trinidad and Tobago’s society is patriarchal in its ontology, however, there is a tendency on the island towards gynocentrism or the inclination to place the needs, wants, and desires of women ahead of all others (Elam, 2016).

“This non-reporting of spousal violence by males in the study can also be attributed to the effect of gynocentrism which creates a cultural default on the micro and macro level where women’s DV victimization reporting is a call to action and a man’s DV victimization reporting is seen as taboo (Elam, 2016). In the context of Trinidad and Tobago, the authors of this article submit that gynocentrism pervades all aspects of the criminal justice system as well as society, hence the apprehension by men in the study to report their DV victimization to the police. For male respondents, the main barrier to non-reporting DV victimization to the police was embarrassment/shame (17%).”

SOURCE:

Justice Policy Journal ? Volume 16, Number 1 (Spring, 2019)